Swindon vs Torbay (H) 28-1-12

With a team containing no fewer than eight reserve players Swindon suffered a 4:1 home defeat to Torbay in this first ever encounter between the two associations. The visitors began brightly despite their long journey producing some neat passing football. Swindon meanwhile struggled at times to maintain possession and too often players were caught out of position. Torbay capitalised on this and opened the scoring when Seymour netted with a neatly executed finish. Swindon rallied to an extent with Benge using his pace to round the Torbay left back to cross. Unfortunately, the supporting players were unable to get into the box and Torbay were able to clear. Swindon began to assert themselves more on the game during second quarter with skipper Broadbank dominating the centre of midfield. He was aided by the impressive Townsend and together they helped Swindon to press forcing a brace of corners but both were easily repelled by the visitors’ defence. Torbay began to play long balls over the midfield but on two occasions Swindon’s custodian was alert to the danger saving bravely at the feet of Kelly. With less than five minutes before half-time Swindon seemed to doing just enough to contain their ‘guests’ ambitions. But the homesters’ hard work was undone when Torbay scored twice in quick succession. A swift passing move down the left enabled Edwards to cross into crowded box. Swindon’s defence failed to clear and Slough steered the ball into the corner. Less than two minutes later a poor drop kick from the Swindon ‘keeper failed to reach Legge out wide and Seymour intercepted the ball before lobbing the stranded to goalie to make it 3:0. Almost immediately Swindon reduced the arrears. An excellent pass from Townsend in midfield caught out the visitor’s defence and Broadbank raced through to volley the ball in off the underside of the crossbar. After the break Swindon pressed forwards with Biles linking well with Broadbank whilst Potter and Legge did likewise down the left flank. Swindon went close to pulling a goal back when White outpaced his marker but miscued his shot under pressure from the covering defender. Torbay worked hard to try and add to their tally but Leach hassled and harried in midfield whilst McGinn and Dearsley both headed long balls clear to frustrate the visitors. Benge and Broadbank combined well creating an opening for White but resolute defending from the Torbay centre back snuffed out this half-chance. Torbay continued to press but were denied a fourth by a superb goal-line clearance from Potter. Five minutes later Biles sprinted back twenty-metres into his own penalty area before making a textbook sliding tackle. Townsend then atoned for his earlier errors with a brilliant double save, first parrying Burrows fierce struck shot before pouncing on the loose ball in a crowded six-yard area. However, Torbay’s persistence was finally rewarded with ten minutes remaining when Kelly scored to make it 4:1 and seal victory for the visitors.